Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Helpers–electricians support electricians and related professionals on job sites and in other work settings. This occupation employs 67,000 people nationally and typically requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to people who want to enter the field without lengthy formal education. The role combines hands-on, mechanical work with the need for physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and strong attention to detail. Mathematics, science, and customer service skills also play an important part, along with project management, leadership, and creativity and innovation. Nationally, the median annual salary is $39,890, with variation across states and metro areas. Projected employment growth is 0.2%, and there are 7,000 annual openings, indicating a steady flow of opportunities. For individuals interested in related paths, similar occupations include rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters, installation, maintenance, and repair workers (all other), helpers–extraction workers, and carpenters.
Nationally, helpers–electricians earn a median annual salary of $39,890. Pay can differ meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, Washington reports a median salary of $61,110, while California offers $52,080 and Massachusetts $48,340. New York and Virginia show median salaries of $47,210 and $44,530, respectively. At the metro level, the San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont area stands out with a median salary of $61,260, higher than its state median. The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro shows $49,960, slightly above California’s overall median. The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro reports $47,800, while Boston–Cambridge–Newton reports $48,340 and the Washington–Arlington–Alexandria region $47,470. These figures suggest that some metro areas and certain states offer higher earning potential than the national median, giving workers options to seek locations that better match their income goals.
Helpers–electricians have national employment of 67,000, with projected employment growth of 0.2%. This indicates a relatively stable overall employment outlook based on the available projection figure. The occupation is expected to have 7,000 annual openings, which reflects ongoing demand from a combination of factors such as employment changes and job turnover, though the specific reasons are not detailed. The presence of annual openings at this scale suggests that people considering this career can expect a recurring flow of opportunities to enter or move within the field. The uniform projected growth rate of 0.2% shown across the listed states and metro areas aligns with the national projection, indicating that the outlook is similar in multiple regions. For those weighing job stability and entry opportunities, the combination of current employment, modest projected growth, and steady openings provides a clear picture of a consistent labor market for this role.
Location can significantly shape the experience and opportunities for helpers–electricians. Among the top states by CareerGPS opportunity score, California leads with an opportunity score of 67.38, a median salary of $52,080, and employment of 3,120. Massachusetts (score 65.87) and New York (65.78) offer median salaries of $48,340 and $47,210, with employment of 610 and 4,120, respectively. Washington shows a higher median salary of $61,110 but lower listed employment of 560 and an opportunity score of 56.29, while Virginia has a median salary of $44,530, employment of 2,180, and a score of 54.96. At the metro level, New York–Newark–Jersey City ranks highest by opportunity score at 77.27 with 4,660 employed and a $47,800 median salary. San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont combines a high median salary of $61,260 with an opportunity score of 68.75. Other strong metros include Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, Boston–Cambridge–Newton, and Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, each offering distinct combinations of salary, employment scale, and opportunity score.
The typical education requirement for helpers–electricians is a high school diploma or equivalent. This makes the field accessible to individuals who want to enter a skilled trade without pursuing a longer college path. Beyond formal education, success in this occupation is closely tied to a specific mix of skills. Mechanical aptitude and physical strength and stamina are important, reflecting the hands-on and physically demanding aspects of the work. Fine motor skills and being detail oriented support accuracy and precision. Mathematics and science skills contribute to understanding measurements and technical concepts. Project management and leadership skills are relevant for organizing tasks and working with others, while customer service skills support interactions with clients or team members. Creativity and innovation also appear among the top skills, suggesting value in finding practical solutions. Together, these skills complement the high school–level educational foundation typically required for entry.
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